Downers/Depressants (pages 40-50)
Read pages 49-54, 59-60, and 78-79 of the booklet, Street Drugs. Pages 40-50 of the text.
Narcotics: Prescription
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Origin: Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and in the Western Hemisphere 
Risk tolerance and dependence is high 
Crosses the blood brain barrier 
Acts at the neural synapse causing the release of neurotransmitters 
Common Names: Morphine, Codeine, Darvon, Loratab, OxyContin,
Dilaudid, Vicodin, Percocet, Darvocet 
Withdrawal: Severe bone and joint pain, muscle cramps, nausea, yawning,
sweating, severe muscle pain, anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia,
diarrhea, chills, flu-like symptoms 
Medical uses – pain relief, cough suppressant and methadone is one of
two opioids that are approved for treatment of heroin dependence. 
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2. Narcotics are known as narcotic analgesics or ______________________.
3. Prescription narcotics attach to specific proteins called __________________
________________, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract.
4. Long-term use of prescription narcotics can lead to _____________________
________________.
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4. Those taking narcotics should be supervised when stopping use in order to reduce
______________________ symptoms; therefore, detoxification is required under medical
supervision.
5. Describe the signs of oxycodone use.
6. True or False: Oxycodone may be snorted or injected.
7. Hydrocodone is a legal opiate prescribed for _______________________.
8. List at least three prescription brand names for hydrocodone.
9. Morphine is the principal constituent of _________________________.
10. ______________________ is one of the most effective drugs known for the relief
of severe pain.
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11. ______________________ has an analgesic potency about 80 times that of morphine.
12. True or False: ______ The biological effects of Fentanyl are indistinguishable from
those of heroin.
13. Used illegally, Fentanyl _______________ patches are boiled to make a narcotic tea.
Heroin: (pg. 51-54, Street Drugs)
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Origin: Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and in the Western Hemisphere 
Risk tolerance and dependence is high and rapid 
Crosses the blood brain barrier 
Causes rapid changes in the dopamine neurons and actually acts as a
neurotransmitter, blocking re-uptake sites 
Common Names: White China, Mexican Tar 
Withdrawal: Severe bone and joint pain, muscle cramps, nausea, yawning,
sweating, severe muscle pain, anxiety, depressed heart rate, itching,
constricted pupils 
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15. ___________________ is the most powerful of the opiates, and is an illegal narcotic.
16. Heroin is derived from ___________________.
17. _________________ accounts for about three-fourths of the opium produced in the
world.
18. _______________ and _____________ have often been added to heroin,
increasing unpredictability and risk associated with heroin use.
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18. How may heroin be ingested?
19. What are the effects of heroin use on the body?
20. What is the secondary risk associated with heroin and why?
21. Describe two new trends in Heroin use.
22. In regular users, how long before withdrawal symptoms appear?
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23. __________________ remain the principal cause of death associated with illegal drug
use in Europe.
Alcohol: (pg 77-78 Street Drugs, pg 40-44 of text)
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Origin: Prehistoric use with grapes fermented in a basket 
Risk tolerance and dependence is moderate 
Crosses the blood brain barrier 
Affects the cerebral cortex causing a lessening of inhibitions and activates
the endorphin reward system in the brain 
Common Names: Beer, Wine, Coolers, Distilled Spirits 
Withdrawal: Delirium tremens, sweating, shakes, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea,
transitional hallucinations 
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25. What is the name of the type of alcohol used to make alcoholic beverages?
26. ________ percent of adults in the United States have consumed alcohol at some time.
27. Alcohol is metabolized in the____________.
28. What are the effects of alcohol on the body?
29. Describe withdrawal from alcohol.
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29. What is Blood Alcohol Concentration or Blood Alcohol Percentage?
30. The gender differences are what, regarding alcohol consumption?
31. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome results when what happens?
32. Ethanol is a _____________ ____________, producing defects in utero.
33. What is alcoholic hepatitis?
Barbiturates:
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Origin: United States 
Risk tolerance and dependence is moderate 
Crosses the blood brain barrier 
Depresses the central nervous system and inhibits neural activity 
Common Names: Amytal, Nembutol, Seconal, Phenobarbital 
Withdrawal: Anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, seizures and delirium 
Medical Uses: Treatment of insomnia and anxiety 
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34. From 1950 to 1970, Barbiturates were second in abuse only to __________________.
35. Barbiturates are _________________ compounds, which allow them to pass
the blood brain barrier.
36. Like all sedative-hypnotics, barbiturates can create tolerance in _________________.
37. Discuss how barbiturates affect the body.
38. Describe the withdrawal from barbiturates.
Benzodiazepines: (pg. 19, Street Drugs, pg 46-47 text)
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Origin: From early Greek Culture 
Risk tolerance and dependence is low with supervision 
Crosses the blood brain barrier 
Makes the GABA receptors in the brain more sensitive to the neurotransmitter 
Common Names: Xanie-Bars, Valium, Vallies, Roofies, Rohypnol 
Withdrawal: Rebound anxiety, sleep disturbance, mood instability, seizures,
depression, hallucinations 
Medical uses: treatment of anxiety or panic attacks 
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39. The text lists four reasons for overuse of benzodiazepines. List them here.
40. Benzodiazepines are rarely used alone and are often used to enhance the effects of
________________, ___________________, or ___________________.
41. Describe the effects on the body.
42. Discuss the withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
43. Discuss the effects of benzodiazepines on REM sleep.
44. _____________________is a powerful benzodiazepine sedative reportedly to be 10
times stronger than Valium.
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45. Benzodiazepines are considered to be the third most prescribed
__________________.
46. Rohypnol is known as the_________________ __________________.
47. Signs of Rohypnol use include:
48. A dye has been added to the pills for what purpose?
Other Depressants: Club Drugs - GHB (Street Drugs, pg 59, 60)
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Origin: United States 
Risk tolerance and dependence is moderate 
Crosses the blood brain barrier 
Makes the GABA receptors in the brain more sensitive to the neurotransmitter 
Common Names: Goop, G-liquid, Sodas, Salty Water, Gator Aid 
Withdrawal: Tremors, insomnia, tachycardia, delirium, agitation 
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50. GHB is typically sold as a clear________________ or a __________________
___________________.
51. GHB is usually sold in kits on the ______________________.
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51. GHB leaves the body relatively quickly and is therefore difficult to detect in
routine__________________ or _______________________screens.
52. GHB is often sold by the __________________ in plastic containers.
53. Describe the effects of GHB on the body.
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